The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today vigorously condemned the killing of a young media worker in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia who was gunned down on Sunday by unidentified armed men.
According to National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), an IFJ affiliate, Zakariye Mohamed Mohamud Moallima a young cameraman working as freelance journalist, was shot dead on Sunday evening 16 September 2012 in Nasib Bundo neighborhood of Shibis district in Mogadishu.
“This is another hard blow against the media workers’ community in Somalia. We urge the new government to stop the killings targeting media in the country,” said Gabriel Baglo, Director IFJ Africa.
The victim was attacked by men armed with pistols who shot him in the head and chest, according to family members. Zakariye died on the spot and the killers escaped from the scene, eyewitnesses said.
“We mourn yet another colleague who is a victim of bloody violence in the line of duty,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary-General. “Zakariye’s death is a tragedy for his family and colleagues who over years have confronted danger in covering their communities and country.”
Zakariye Mohamed Mohamud Moallim, the son of veteran journalist Mohamed Mohamud Moallim (aka MM Moallim), is the ninth media worker to be killed in Somalia since January this year.
For more information, please contact IFJ on +221- 33 867 95 87
The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 134 countries